Hanafin raises child-deportation concerns

Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has raised the issue of gardaí taking children from schools for deportation with Minister…

Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has raised the issue of gardaí taking children from schools for deportation with Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Irelandprogramme, Ms Hanafin said that both she and the Minister for Justice were concerned about the situation.

"It has obviously an adverse effect on the families themselves, but particularly on the rest of the school community and other children," she said.

Although Ms Hanafin did not say if the practice would cease, she said Mr McDowell intended to discuss the issue with gardaí.